Shinichi Watanabe
Biography
Shinichi Watanabe is a Japanese anime director and voice actor born on September 6, 1964, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Also known as Shin'ichi Wata, his stage name is written in Japanese characters, and his gender is male. He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi's Excel Saga, in which he appears as the character Nabeshin. Watanabe stated that the nickname Nabeshin, which combines nabe from Watanabe and shin from Shinichi, came to him from God. Regarding his unique appearance of dressing similarly to the character Arsene Lupin III, Watanabe explained that he grew out his afro and started wearing bright clothing in order to stand out and get attention. He has forty known credits centered around directing.
Career overview
Shinichi Watanabe is a Japanese anime director and voice actor born on September 6, 1964, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. His stage name is written in Japanese characters as ワタナベシンイチ, and he is also known by the alternative name Shin'ichi Wata. With forty known credits listed on the Movie Database, Watanabe is primarily recognized for his work in directing.
He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi's Excel Saga. In this project, Watanabe also appears as a character named Nabeshin. According to Watanabe, the nickname Nabeshin is a combination of nabe from Watanabe and shin from Shinichi, and he has stated that the moniker came to him from God.
Regarding his unique personal appearance, which features bright clothing and an afro styled similarly to the character Arsene Lupin III, Watanabe explained that he adopted this look to stand out and gain attention.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
54 titles- The Fearsome Melody (2026) Camera Production Assistant
- Medalist (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Anne Shirley (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Sorairo Utility (2025) Storyboard Artist
- Puniru Is a Kawaii Slime (2024) Storyboard Artist
- Haigakura (2024) Storyboard Artist
- Pokémon Horizons (2023) Storyboard Artist
- Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and the Inexperienced Me (2023) Storyboard Artist
- KONOSUBA – An Explosion on This Wonderful World! (2023) Storyboard Artist
- Protocol: Rain (2023) Storyboard Artist
- 16bit Sensation: Another Layer (2023) Storyboard Artist
- I'm Quitting Heroing (2022) Storyboard Artist
- Management of a Novice Alchemist (2022) Storyboard Artist
- The Great Jahy Will Not Be Defeated! (2021) Storyboard Artist
- BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense. (2020) Storyboard Artist
- Saikyou Kamizmode! (2020) Storyboard Artist
- ASSASSINS PRIDE (2019) Storyboard Artist
- Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya: Prisma☆Phantasm (2019) Storyboard Artist
- Grand Blue Dreaming (2018) Storyboard
- Midnight Crazy Trail (2018) Storyboard Artist
- Un-Go (2011) Key Animation
- The Wallflower (2006) Director
- Nerima Daikon Brothers (2006) Series Director
- Nerima Daikon Brothers (2006) Storyboard Artist
- Nerima Daikon Brothers (2006) Director
- Da Capo (2003) Storyboard Artist
- Age 17 (2003) Still Photographer
- Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002) as NB (voice)
- Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002) Director
- eX-Driver: Nina & Rei Danger Zone (2002) Director
- Puni Puni Poemy (2001) as Shinichi 'Nabeshin' Watanabe (voice)
- Puni Puni Poemy (2001) Series Director
- Puni Puni Poemy (2001) Director
- Dotto! Koni-chan (2000) Storyboard Artist
- Excel Saga (1999) as Nabeshin (voice)
- Excel Saga (1999) Director
- Excel Saga (1999) Series Director
- Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (1999) as Nabeshin
- Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (1999) Director
- Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (1999) Storyboard Artist
- Gravitation: Lyrics of Love (1999) Creator
- Lupin the Third: The Columbus Files (1999) Director
- Tokyo Pig (1997) Series Director
- Magical Project S (1996) Director
- Beast City (1996) Director
- Beast City (1996) Producer
- Beast City (1996) Director
- Beast City (1996) Producer
- The Brave of Gold Goldran (1995) Storyboard Artist
- The Brave of Gold Goldran (1995) Director
- Brave Police J-Decker (1994) Storyboard Artist
- Brave Police J-Decker (1994) Director
- Super Real Mahjong: Kasumi Miki Shouko no Hajimemashite (1990) Director
- Super Real Mahjong: Mahjong Battle Scramble (1990) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Shinichi Watanabe best known for?
Shinichi Watanabe is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Fearsome Melody (2026), Medalist (2025), Anne Shirley (2025), Sorairo Utility (2025).
When and where was Shinichi Watanabe born?
Shinichi Watanabe was born on September 6, 1964 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
How many credits does Shinichi Watanabe have?
Shinichi Watanabe has accumulated over 54 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1990 to 2026.
What is Shinichi Watanabe's background in cinema and television?
Shinichi Watanabe is a Japanese anime director and voice actor born on September 6, 1964, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Also known as Shin'ichi Wata, his stage name is written in Japanese characters, and his gender is male. He is best known for his over-the-top adaptation of Rikdo Koshi's Excel Saga, in which he appear...
Shinichi Watanabe by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Excel Saga (1999) as Nabeshin (voice) — aged about 34
- Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002) as NB (voice) — aged about 37
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